I was startled by the words of Asmodeus; my brow scrunched as I peered up at the mural glaring back at me.

"Father was right, you know," Lilith murmured, more active than before. "It takes two bloodstones to grow a vein, that and a lot of time.

Anticipation bubbled in the pit of my stomach as I snatched the little minx into my arms; hearing her giggle; she smirked, "You seem in a better mood?"

"Damn right, with Yu Jing's death, things have been looking dark. But these bloodstones might turn things around." I said, giving the lovely doll a peck on the lips. Getting a little flush, she smiled.

"Then count me in. The little one and I will love to experience some actions."

Isn't that dangerous? Well, it's not like I can stop her; the little one needs to feed off my aura, and once I obtain these Bloodstones. I will begin my trial with the Ring of Bael, whatever that might entail.

"So, who will you choose to come with you?"

"Zan and Freya are busy, and the other Knights of hell are under orders to bring them the proper amount of 'resources.' That leaves Ezra for sure, and maybe Ren. I would like to see what he can do."

"You know if you take Ren, Rey Nala will follow right."

I shrugged, "Her father is here, and from what I have heard, he doesn't seem to like Ren. Avar is busy with her men. I hear that she is calling her fleet here. So it's safe to say neither of them will join." Tightening my grip around Lilith's waist, I locked eyes with her, " You gather Ren and Ezra. We can leave in an hour."

Wiggling out of my grip, she nodded, " Oh, and you can have this back," Shes said, summoning the Spear of Noctem. Gazing at the sinister obsidian edge that seemed to have grown sharper and colder, I felt a swift wave of Abyssal Night rippled throughout the Atrium. "Just try not to use the Hollowing. I fear that—"

"Wait, what about Zantar? He could be controlling me."

Lilith smiled, "Arsene, I have known you for a long time; I don't think you would ever make a deal involving you becoming someone's thrall. You made this weapon using the bones of an elder dragon, parts of the abyss, and the hells; you had better use it. Especially since you can call upon the power of the two beings you sealed in there."

Taking hold of the Spear of Noctem, which had my name, 'Arsene Snow,' etched into the surface of the grimly dark shaft, a feeling of becoming whole surged throughout my every fiber.

"Welcome back," I whispered, sucking in a deep breath.

The spear of Noctem throbbed and a spiraling blackhole awakened within the spear as it began sucking the Abyssal Essense between Heaven and Earth. Splitting what it took fifty-fifty with me, an attunement I did not foresee came over me as I became one with the world, no, not the world, but the Abyss QI lingering in the air.

Taking it all in, staying true to the Path of Ren Shii, I did not back away but welcomed this newfound power filling me. I knew it would take hundreds, if not thousands of years of continuous absorption to break into the next realm, but I had time.

"Arsene," Lilith called, startling me as she had just blinked in front of me. "Why are you still here? We will be waiting for you at the entrance. It's been two hours. Let's go!" She said, but I hadn't even seen her leave, much less return.

Startled at the passing of time, I slid my gaze to the Obsidian spear and hooked it to my back, "Let's go."

…

…

…

Snacking on beef jerky as we backtracked towards the blood cave. Ren had to lead, as I could not even remember the exact route we took.

"Did you have to bring them?" Ezra said, eying the two dragons sitting on Lilith's shoulders.

"One is a high god, and the other is an abyssal dragon capable of doing anything.' I pointed out.

Like fucking time travel. I swear I will never forget that! That's such a bullshit move. You literally cannot defend against that.

"Big Sis is jealous!"

"Yup, Big Sis Zan said it's cuz she hasn't been downed by papa yet!" Arkanos said.

"Eh?" The hell is she teaching my baby girls.

"Do you even know what that means?" Lilith asked, lifting her gaze that carried a mischievous glint.

The two dragons shook their tiny heads, simply making me wanna steal them away.

" No~," They sang.

"Well, as a good mama, I must tell you–"

"Oh hell no. My baby dragons will be pure and unsullied as they are. See how tiny they are! Let's keep it like that." I hastily said, covering Lilith's mouth as she burst into laughter.

"How is it you, a man who eats people, kills without discretion, is worried about tainting the innocence of these two dragons?" Lilith remarked in a soul whisper.

My cheeks sorta burned at her words, but I didn't bother to acknowledge them. It's a guy thing that I simply can't explain. Maybe it's my possessiveness or my protectiveness, but I'd be damn if someone sullied my baby girls.

"Papa, don't bully Mama!" Ty shouted, leaping onto me like a flying squirrel; she landed on my face with enough force to push my hands off Lilith's mouth. "The baby needs to breathe!"

"The baby isn't even born!"

"Good, now join the dark side, Little Ty, join mama!" Lilith offered, opening up her arms as Ty leaped into her embrace.

Good God. I swear I fear for my child being around these two dragons. The amount of chaos they are going to cause will be insane.

"We are here," Ren suddenly said, dragging me out of my worries. Scanning the withered bones over the ground, I turned my eyes towards the cave, glowing a scarlet light. Lifting my eye towards the dimming of light, I noted the coming of night.

"Everyone has night vision, right?' I questioned, watching them all nod. It was a stupid question, but everyone needed to eat and sleep in this realm, so it was a safe bet to assume not everyone could innately see in the dark.

"I have a spell that allows me to see through the darkness." Said Ren, snapping his fingers as a sigil of a raven appeared over his head.

"You're a crest user?" I asked, a little shocked.

"I saw a crest user back on Midgard and unlocked the ability," he said as his eyes glowed a devouring light.